Finger Protector

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a mitten comprising at least one finger holder, an insulation layer, and a shell layer, wherein:
         a. the insulation layer is positioned between the shell layer and the at least one finger holder;   b. the at least finger holder is configured for placement over the back side of at least one finger;   c. the shell layer comprises a flame-resistant, non-stick material, wherein said non-stick is with respect to synthetic hair in its molten state.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/304,211 filed 23 Nov. 2011 and also claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/826,960 filed on 23 May 2013, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to finger protectors.

BACKGROUND

When synthetic hair is braided, the ends can be melted using an open flame to prevent unraveling, for example, as described by Hanselman (“Arusha Tanzania 2006 Day 24—Black Hair”; [Retrieved on 23 Sep. 2013]. Retrieved from the internet

URL<:http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ArushaTanzania2006Day24BlackHair.aspx>). This process requires a skilled set of hands with much care to prevent burning of the hairstylist's fingers while manually matting the molten hair.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,747 (Banks et al.) describes a finger and thumb heat protector having a wool shell that provides thermal protection to the fingers and thumb of a beautician while using a heated hair curling iron. However, Banks et al. do not teach a non-stick shell that prevents adherence to synthetic hair in its molten state.

What is needed in the art is a product that protects hairstylists' fingers without limiting their dexterity while manipulating synthetic hair in its molten state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a mitten comprising at least one finger holder, an insulation layer, and a shell layer, wherein:

-   -   a. the insulation layer is positioned between the shell layer         and the at least one finger holder;     -   b. the at least finger holder is configured for placement over         the back side of at least one finger;     -   c. the shell layer comprises a flame-resistant, non-stick         material, wherein said non-stick is with respect to synthetic         hair in its molten state.

Optionally, the at least one finger holder comprises at least two finger holders.

Optionally, the at least two finger holders comprise a number of finger holders selected from: 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Optionally, the at least two finger holders comprises: an index finger holder and a thumb holder; an index finger holder and a middle finger holder, or a thumb holder and a middle finger holder. Optionally, the wherein the at least two finger holders comprises an index finger holder, a middle finger holder, and a thumb holder.

Optionally, the at least one finger holder is configured to cover the finger tip.

Optionally, the at least one finger holder is configured to cover the majority of the finger.

Optionally, the mitten is configured as an open-back mitten.

Optionally, the at least one finger holder is configured to cover the finger and not a majority of the back side of the hand.

Optionally, the flame-resistant, non-stick material comprises an organic material or a non-organic material.

Optionally, the flame-resistant, non-stick material comprises a synthetic material or a natural material.

Optionally, the flame-resistant, non-stick material comprises an organic polymer (e.g. polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)), a non-organic material (e.g. silicon dioxid), or a combination thereof (e.g. PTFE/fiberglass composite).

Optionally, the flame-resistant, non-stick material comprises a silicate or silicon dioxide. Optionally, the flame-resistant, non-stick material is an amorphous silica fabric.

Optionally, the insulation layer comprises a natural or synthetic insulation. Optionally, the insulation layer comprises wool or fiberglass.

Optionally, the finger holder comprises an elastic material.

Optionally, the mitten further comprises a layer of a flame-resistant, non-stick material between the finger holder and the insulation layer.

The invention also provides of protecting a finger comprising:

-   -   a. wearing any mitten of the invention on one or more fingers;     -   b. applying an open flame to synthetic hair, thereby melting the         synthetic hair; and     -   c. matting the melted hair using the one or more fingers.

Optionally, the method further comprises a step of braiding the synthetic hair before said step of applying an open flame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-1 c depict a mitten of the invention. FIG. 1 a is the side view. FIG. 1 b is the top view. FIG. 1 c is the perspective view.

FIG. 2 depicts the layout of a mitten with an additional shell layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a finger protector configured for placement on at least two fingers (‘mitten’). The mitten is useful to prevent fingers from burning. For example, a mitten of the present invention is optionally used while braiding synthetic hair in its molten state. When synthetic hair is braided, the ends are melted (e.g. with an open flame) and matted together to prevent unraveling.

Accordingly, the present invention now provides a mitten comprising insulation and a shell of a flame-resistant, non-stick material. With both insulation and a non-stick surface, such a mitten now enables hairstylists to manipulate synthetic hair in its molten state.

Specifically, one embodiment provides a mitten comprising at least one finger holder, an insulation layer, and a shell layer, wherein:

-   -   a. the insulation layer is positioned between the shell layer         and the at least one finger holder;     -   b. the at least finger holder is configured for placement over         the back side of at least one finger; and     -   c. the shell layer comprises a flame-resistant, non-stick         material, wherein said non-stick is with respect to synthetic         hair in its molten state.

Finger Holder

A mitten of the present invention comprises at least one finger holder. The finger holder can be any component configured for holding the other layers (insulation and shell) to the finger.

Optionally, the at least one finger holder is configured as a sheath.

Optionally, the at least one finger holder comprises an elastic material.

Optionally, the at least one finger holder comprises a plurality of finger holders. Optionally, the at least one finger holder comprises 2, 3, 4, or 5 finger holders. Optionally, the finger holder is configured for placement on the thumb and a second finger (e.g. index or middle finger).

Optionally, the finger holder does not cover a majority of the back of a hand, i.e. it is substantially an open-back mitten.

Optionally, the finger holder is configured for placement over the finger tip, a majority of the finger, or the entire finger.

Optionally, the finger holder is any finger holder described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,747.

The mitten can comprise finger holders that cover a portion of the finger, e.g. at least the first digital of top of a finger and/or thumb (e.g. the distal phalange portion).

Insulation

A mitten of the present invention comprises at least one layer of insulation positioned between the finger holder and the shell. The insulation layer can be any layer that provides thermal insulation, e.g. to prevent burning of the finger when manipulating molten synthetic hair and/or introducing an open flame.

Optionally, the insulation layer comprises wool. Other useful insulation materials include polyester, cotton or rayon

The insulation can be used as a buffer between the heat and finger therefore the thickness of the insulation is a major component of the functionality and practicality of the item, once flame is extinguished.

Optionally, the insulation layer provides cushion or padding (e.g. a wool layer).

Optionally, the insulation layer is any insulation layer described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,747.

Optionally, the insulation layer has a thickness equal to or less than any of: ¼ in, ⅛ in, 1/16 in. Optionally, the insulation layer has a thickness equal to or greater than 1/32 in.

Shell

A mitten of the present invention comprises a shell layer. The shell layer can be any flexible layer that is flame-resistant and non-stick. As used herein, the term “non-stick” refers to the ability of the shell layer to freely move about synthetic hair in its molten state.

Optionally, the shell layer is configured as any flexible material, e.g. a woven or non-woven fabric.

Optionally, the shell layer comprises an organic material (e.g. organic polymers), a non-organic material (e.g. silica), or a combination thereof.

Optionally, the shell layer comprises an organic polymer. The organic polymer can be any that is or can be configured or modified to provide a flame-resistant, non-stick material. Examples of useful organic polymers include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is commonly used in non-stick materials.

Optionally, the shell layer comprises a silicate or silicon dioxide. Optionally, the shell layer comprises amorphous silica fabric (e.g. AVSiI Silica Fabrics).

Optionally, the shell layer comprises a composite of an organic polymer and a non-organic material, e.g. a PTFE/fiberglass composite (e.g. EJ™ 1650)

The skilled artisan will appreciate that, while certain materials such as wool are generally flame-retardant, they do not provide a non-stick surface (unless modified). With the teachings provided herein, however, the skilled artisan can now readily configure shell layers that are flame-retardant and non-stick with respect to molten synthetic hair.

Fibers such as wool, nylon, rayon, cotton or any other synthetic fiber could not be used exclusively for the shell because melted synthetic hair would stick to or adhere to it.

Optionally, the shell layer has a thickness equal to or less than any of: ⅛ in, 1/16, 1/32, or 1/64 in. Optionally, the shell layer has a thickness equal to or greater than 1/90 in.

Methods

A mitten of the present invention can be used, e.g. to protect the fingers while manipulating molten hair.

In one embodiment, the invention also provides a method of protecting a finger comprising:

-   -   a. wearing any mitten of the invention on one or more fingers;     -   b. applying an open flame to synthetic hair, thereby melting the         synthetic hair; and     -   c. manipulating the melted hair using the one or more fingers.

Optionally, the method further comprises a step of braiding the synthetic hair before said step of applying an open flame.

Optionally, the step of manipulating comprise matting the molten synthetic hair.

Optionally, hair is cut to uniform length then burned, then matted to shape ends with finger protector.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Mitten

FIGS. 1 a-1 c depict an example mitten of the invention. The mitten comprises a finger holder 1, an insulation layer 2, and shell layer 3. The finger holder 1 comprises first finger holder 4 and a second finger holder 5.

The finger holder 1 comprises an elastic material configured to stretch over the fingers of a user.

The insulation layer 2 comprises a layer of wool with a thickness of about 1/16 inch.

The shell layer 3 comprises a layer of flame resistant, non-stick material. For example, the shell layer can comprise an amorphous silica fabric (e.g. AVSiI Silica Fabrics) or a PTFE/fiberglass composite fabric (e.g. EJ™ 1650).

The shell layer 3 and insulation layer 2 are held together in any manner (e.g. sewn or glued). Each of the finger holders 4, 5 are secured to the insulation layer 2 and/or shell layer 3 only at their perimeter on three sides, thereby providing a sheath with an opening to accept a finger.

The insulation layers and shell layer are optionally configured as thin as possible to accord ample dexterity to hairstylist while manipulating molten synthetic hair. For example, a layer of wool insulation can optionally be about 1/16 inch. A layer of PTFE/fiberglass composite fabric (e.g. EJ™ 1650) can optionally be about 1/64 inch an inch and a layer of an amorphous silica fabric (e.g. AVSiI Silica Fabrics) can optionally be about 1/32 inch.

Example 2 Mitten with Additional Shell Layer

A mitten is optionally provided with two shell layers. The mitten is similar to the mitten described in example 1, but further comprises a second shell layer between the finger holder and the insulation. Specifically, the mitten is constructed from four layers. On the palm side starting furthest away from the palm is layer 1 with a shell material. The next layer closer to the palm is layer 2 with an insulation (“padding”). The next layer closer to the palm is layer 3 with a second flame-resistant non-stick shell layer. Next is layer 4, a finger holder configured for placement on the back side of the fingers.

The citations provided herein are hereby incorporated by reference for the cited subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mitten comprising at least one finger holder, an insulation layer, and a shell layer, wherein: a. the insulation layer is positioned between the shell layer and the at least one finger holder; b. the at least finger holder is configured for placement over the back side of at least one finger; c. the shell layer comprises a flame-resistant, non-stick material, wherein said non-stick is with respect to synthetic hair in its molten state.
 2. The mitten of claim 1, wherein the at least one finger holder comprises at least two finger holders.
 3. The mitten of claim 2, wherein the at least two finger holders comprise a number of finger holders selected from: 2, 3, 4, and
 5. 4. The mitten of claim 3, wherein the at least two finger holders comprises: a. an index finger holder and a thumb holder; b. an index finger holder and a middle finger holder; or c. a thumb holder and a middle finger holder.
 5. The mitten of claim 4, wherein the wherein the at least two finger holders comprises a thumb holder and one or both of an index finger holder and a middle finger holder.
 6. The mitten of claim 2 wherein the at least one finger holder is configured to cover the finger tip.
 7. The mitten of claim 6, wherein the at least one finger holder is configured to cover the majority of the finger.
 8. The mitten of claim 2, wherein the mitten is configured as an open back mitten.
 9. The mitten of claim 8, wherein the at least one finger holder is configured to cover the finger and not the back side of the palm.
 10. The mitten of claim 2, wherein the flame-resistant, non-stick material selected from: an organic material, a non-organic material, and a synthetic material.
 11. The mitten of claim 2 wherein the flame-resistant, non-stick material comprises an organic polymer.
 12. The mitten of claim 11, wherein the organic polymer is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
 13. The mitten of claim 11, wherein the flame-resistant, non-stick material comprises a silicate or silicon dioxide.
 14. The mitten of claim 13, wherein the flame-resistant, non-stick material is an amorphous silica fabric.
 15. The mitten of claim 2, wherein the shell layer has a thickness equal to or less than any of: ⅛ in, 1/16, 1/32, and 1/64 in.
 16. The mitten of claim 15, wherein the shell layer has a thickness equal to or greater than 1/90 in.
 17. The mitten of claim 11, wherein the shell layer has a thickness equal to or less than any of: ⅛ in, 1/16, 1/32, and 1/64 in.
 18. The mitten of claim 17, wherein the shell layer has a thickness equal to or greater than 1/90 in.
 19. The mitten of claim 12, wherein the shell layer has a thickness equal to or less than any of: ⅛ in, 1/16, 1/32, and 1/64 in.
 20. The mitten of claim 19, wherein the shell layer has a thickness equal to or greater than 1/90 in. 